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"Scots in Service" Volunteer at Jersey City Homeless Shelter


NEWARK, N.J. — Carrying paintbrushes, mops, and assorted cleaning materials, members of Scots in Service of the College of Wooster, Ohio, recently visited Saint Lucy’s Shelter in Jersey City — a housing program for single men and women who are homeless. Members of the Northern New Jersey Chapter, who were marking the alumni group’s annual National Volunteer Day, had come to clean and repaint the shelter and clean the grounds. They also brought residents much-needed clothing and household items.

“The volunteers truly made a very positive difference in the lives of shelter residents,” said Brenda Pulaski, who oversees housing programs for Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Newark, which operates Saint Lucy’s Shelter.

Pulaski explained that the volunteers get their name from “The Fighting Scots” — the athletic teams at The College of Wooster, an independent liberal arts college. Each year, alumni in 25 states participate in National Volunteer Day by giving of their time and talents to support worthy causes. The visit to Saint Lucy’s Shelter was organized by New Jersey residents Karyn Egeland and Alyse McMenamin, both College of Wooster alumni.

“We are extremely grateful to Ms. Egeland, Ms. McMenamin, and all the Scots in Service,” said Pulaski. “Their generosity and their elbow grease are both very much appreciated.”

Serving northern New Jersey for more than a century, Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Newark operates programs throughout Essex, Hudson, Union, and Bergen counties, sheltering men, women, and children without homes; counseling families in crisis; providing day care and socialization activities for older adults; building families through adoption; teaching job skills; educating students with special needs; and helping people with HIV/AIDS. Catholic Charities also assists “the stranger among us” through programs for immigrants, refugees, and victims of human trafficking. More information about agency programs and services is available online at www.ccnewark.org. Catholic Charities is affiliated with Catholic Health and Human Services Corporation and supports the mission of the Archdiocese of Newark.

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Catholic Charities is accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) and the Commission on the Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF).